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The most important risk factor for the development of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) is ageing. Senescence accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) is a model of sporadic AD, with senescence accelerated resistant mouse (SAMR1) as a control. In this study, we aimed to determine the onset of senescence-induced neurodegeneration and the related potential therapeutic window using behavioral experiments, immunohistochemistry and western blotting in SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice at 3, 6 and 9 months of age. The Y-maze revealed significantly impaired working spatial memory of SAMP8 mice from the 6

Early-life morphine exposure causes a variety of behavioural and physiological alterations observed later in life. In the present study, we investigated the effects of prenatal and early postnatal morphine on the maturation of the circadian clockwork in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the liver, and the rhythm in aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase activity in the pineal gland. Our data suggest that the most affected animals were those born to control, untreated mothers and cross-fostered by morphine-exposed dams. These animals showed the highest mesor and amplitude in the rhythm of Per2, Nr1d1 but not Per1 gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) and arrhythmicity in AA-NAT activity in the pineal gland. In a similar pattern to the rhythm of Per2 expression in the SCN, they also expressed Per2 in a higher amplitude rhythm in the liver. Five of seven specific genes in the liver showed significant differences between groups in their expression. A comparison of mean relative mRNA levels suggests that this variability was caused mostly by cross-fostering, animals born to morphine-exposed dams that were cross-fostered by control mothers and vice versa differed from both groups of natural mothers raising offspring. Our data reveal that the circadian system responds to early-life morphine administration with significant changes in clock gene expression profiles both in the SCN and in the liver. The observed differences between the groups suggest that the dose, timing and accompanying stress events such as cross-fostering may play a role in the final magnitude of the physiological challenge that opioids bring to the developing circadian clock.

The circadian and opioid systems are systems involved in maintaining homeostasis in the body. Disruption of the circadian system disturbs the proper timing of physiological processes, which can result in the development or exacerbation of pre-existing pathological conditions, including addiction. One of the factors that can influence the precise synchronization of the circadian system is the use and abuse of opioids. The interrelationship between the circadian and opioid systems is poorly studied. To this end, the present study investigated the effect of morphine and methadone on the rat circadian system in adulthood and during development. The aim of this dissertation was to observe the effect of acute morphine administration on the expression of clock genes in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of adult rats, and to investigate the effect of long-term morphine or methadone administration and withdrawal on the expression of clock genes in the SCN and on the activity of the enzyme AA-NAT in the pineal gland of adult rats. Proper development of the circadian clock contributes significantly to the maintenance of health in adulthood and ensures good adaptability of the organism to changes in the external environment. No study to date has focused on examining the effects of opioid administration during...

The aim of this prospective study was the validation of the risk stratification of thyroid nodules using ultrasonography with the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) and partly in comparison to American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines in a secondary referral center. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) (n=605) and histological examinations (n=63) were the reference standards for the statistical analysis. ACR TI-RADS cut-off value: TR4 with sensitivity 85.7 %, specificity 54.1 %, PPV 58.5 %, accuracy 67.7 % (AUC 0.738; p

Introduction. The cognitive functions usable in the sports performance are for example an ability to anticipate, perception and speed of movement reactions, decision-making ability or attention. These abilities or functions apply differently to different sports. It means that open skill sports such as team sports, require the coordination of complex bodily movements and adaptation to continually changing task demands.The aim of this study is to identify differences in the level of female's cognitive functions regarding the chosenopen skill sportsand closed skill sport disciplines. Material and Methods. The research group consisted of 84 women aged 22.70±1.71 years. Women were divided into three groups in terms of sport discipline into: female engaged in closed skill sport disciplines (n=26), in open skill sport disciplines (n=19) and not engaged in any sport activity (n=39). We used standardized S-test to determine the level of cognitive functions. It is a test of spatial orientation and concentration of attention with accentuated demands on the pace of activity. Results. The results have shown that female engaged in open skill sport disciplines have shown higher level of cognitive functions than female engaged in closed skill sport disciplines (p=0.04) and also as nonathletes (p=0.02). There was no difference in cognitive function between female engaged in closed skill sport disciplines and nonathletes. Conclusions. Our results confirm the theory of different involvement of cognitive functions from the point of view of different types of sport disciplines.

Background: It is necessary to deal with the aggressive behaviour of young people and find out whether sport can play a role in this area. So far, findings indicate modification role of sports activity and its type in terms of contact's occurrence, in the behavior of individuals. Objective: The aim of the study is to compare the level of the dimension of aggression and anxiety trait between nonathletes and contact and noncontact sport athletes and to assess the relationship between dimensions of aggression and the level of anxiety trait across the groups. Methods: The research group consisted of 153 males aged 22.07 ± 2.49 years: 47 contact sport athletes, 51 noncontact sport athletes and 55 nonathletes. Dimensions of aggression were evaluated by the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, anxiety trait was evaluated by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The differences between the groups were assessed with the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test was used for posthoc pairwise comparisons. Relationship between dimensions of aggression and anxiety trait was assessed by the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: We found that nonathletes were more physically aggressive than contact sport athletes and they also displayed a higher level of anger and hostility. Moreover, nonathletes were more hostile, physical and verbally aggressive than noncontact sport athletes. Nonathletes also had a higher level of anxiety trait than athletes. There was no difference between athletes in any dimension of aggression and anxiety trait level. Besides that, we found a significant relationship between anxiety trait level and physical aggression across the groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that sports activity can be beneficial for personality in both contact and noncontact athletes. Sport activity may be one of the factors which increase the possibility of releasing of aggression, while "contactness" of the sport does not play any major role in the aggression of athletes.

As with other drugs or pharmaceuticals, opioids differ in their rewarding or analgesic effects depending on when they are applied. In the previous study, we have demonstrated the day/night difference in the sensitivity of the major circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus to a low dose of morphine, and showed the bidirectional effect of morphine on pERK1/2 and pGSK3β levels in the suprachiasmatic nucleus depending on the time of administration. The main aim of this study was to identify other brain structures that respond differently to morphine depending on the time of its administration. Using immunohistochemistry, we identified 44 structures that show time-of-day specific changes in c-Fos level and activity of ERK1/2 and GSK3β kinases in response to a single dose of 1 mg/kg morphine. Furthermore, comparison among control groups revealed the differences in the spontaneous levels of all markers with a generally higher level during the night, that is, in the active phase of the day. We thus provide further evidence for diurnal variations in the activity of brain regions outside the suprachiasmatic nucleus indicated by the temporal changes in the molecular substrate. We suggest that these changes are responsible for generating diurnal variation in the reward behavior or analgesic effect of opioid administration.

Amino acid tryptophan is catabolised via the kynurenine and serotonin-melatonin pathways, leading to various biologically active metabolites involved in regulating immunity, metabolism, and neuronal function. The levels of these metabolites are determined by the enzymes, which respond to altered homeostasis and pathological processes in the body. For the pineal gland, most work has centred on the serotonin-melatonin pathway. Still, no information exists on the expression of kynurenine pathway enzymes (KPEs), which may compete for the same substrate. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the physiological expression of KPEs in the rat pineal gland and their alterations in response to acute inflammation. We further compared the pineal expression profiles with the KPE expression in the rat liver and heart. Our data indicate the basal, non-induced expression of KPEs in the pineal gland, liver, and hearts, with a few first-step enzyme exceptions, such as Tdo and Ido1, and the first-step enzyme of serotonin pathway Tph1. This physiological expression was regulated in a circadian manner in the pineal gland and liver but not in the heart. Peripheral treatment with lipopolysaccharide resulted in mild upregulation of Tph1 in the pineal gland and heart, more robust upregulation of KPEs in the pineal gland and heart, but downregulation of Kmo, KatII, and Kynu in the liver. Altogether, our data provide evidence on the physiological expression of KPEs in the pineal gland, liver, and heart, which is regulated by the circadian clock in a tissue-specific manner. Furthermore, we show the temporal dynamics and bidirectional change in the transcriptional patterns of KPEs, Tph1, Per2, Nr1d1, and Stat3 in response to systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide in these tissues.

Sport activity can be a moderator of change in the level of cognitive and executive functions. This research sample consisted of 71 men aged 22.66 ± 1.91 years. This group was split into two subgroups: nonathletes (n = 26) and athletes (n = 45). The athletes included open skill sport athletes (n = 21) and closed skill sport athletes (n = 24). We used a standardized S-test to detect the level of cognitive functions, a standardized EPQ-R questionnaire to find out the degree of neuroticism and a standardized IVE questionnaire to measure the level of impulsivity. For data processing, we used the Kruskal–Wallis test following the Mann–Whitney test. To calculate the effect of size differences we used the coefficients η2 and r. Our research showed a higher level of cognitive function of athletes compared to nonathletes. More detailed data analysis showed that open skill sport disciplines are influential. There is also a negative relationship between the level of cognitive function and the degree of impulsivity and neuroticism. It seems that sport activity, specifically open skill sport disciplines, has the potential to increase the cognitive functions of young adult men. Personality traits—neuroticism and impulsivity—have a negative relationship with the level of cognitive functions of young men.

Background/Objective Anorexigenic palmitoylated prolactin-releasing peptide (palm11-PrRP) is able to act centrally after peripheral administration in rat and mouse models of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or neurodegeneration. Functional leptin and intact leptin signaling pathways are necessary for the body weight reducing and glucose tolerance improving effect of palm11-PrRP. We have previously shown that palm11-PrRP31 had glucose-lowering properties but not anti-obesity effect in Koletsky rats with leptin signaling disturbances, so improvements in glucose metabolism appear to be completely independent of leptin signaling. The purpose of this study was to describe relationship between metabolic and neurodegenerative pathologies and explore if palm11-PrRP31 could ameliorate them in obese fa/fa rat model with leptin signaling disruption. Subject/Methods The fa/fa rats and their age-matched lean controls at the age 32 weeks were used for this study. The rats were infused for 2 months with saline or palm11-PrRP31 (n = 7–8 per group) at a dose of 5 mg/kg per day using Alzet osmotic pumps. During the dosing period food intake and body weight were monitored. At the end of experiment the oral glucose tolerance test was performed; plasma and tissue samples were collected and arterial blood pressure was measured. Then, markers of leptin and insulin signaling, Tau phosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and synaptogenesis were measured by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results Fa/fa rats developed obesity, mild glucose intolerance, and peripheral insulin resistance but not hypertension while palm11-PrRP31 treatment neither lowered body weight nor attenuated glucose tolerance but ameliorated leptin and insulin signaling and synaptogenesis in hippocampus. Conclusion We demonstrated that palm11-PrRP31 had neuroprotective features without anti-obesity and glucose lowering effects in fa/fa rats. This data suggest that this analog has the potential to exert neuroprotective effect despite of leptin signaling disturbances in this rat model.

The fundament of this diploma thesis represents the nutrition of dairy cows which is affected by the quality of conserved forage. Within the evaluation of nutritional value were also comprised the factors of housing and watering of dairy cows. All indicators were observed during the years 2019 and 2020, under operating conditions. The optimization of the feed rations was performed, based on the feeding program assessment, to increase the milk yield. During both observed years, the main type of feed was corn silage. In 2020, 55 % of forage and 43 % of the total feed was represented by corn silage. Mixed feed rations for lactating dairy cows contained less dry matter (45 % in 2019 and 43.58 % in 2020), as well as a lower concentration of energy. In the context of raising productivity, it was proposed to increase the concentration of NEL in feed rations and keep the optimal values of nitrogenous substances (in the year 2020 - 162.5 g/kg of dry matter) and fibre (NDF). After the evaluation of milk yield, it was statistically proven the influence of the season on the fat and protein content in milk. Between the years 2019 and 2020, the average daily milking efficiency increased by 1.9 L/one dairy cow. In 2019, the price per one litre of produced milk was 8.43 CZK, in 2020 the cost was reduced to 7.52 CZK. Both observed years were profitable, in 2020 the profit increased by CZK 7,368 per one year and one dairy cow. The company had a lower cost per one dairy cow in a comparison with the average cost in the Czech Republic. Subsequently, the new feed ration resulted in a daily yield of 34.43 L/one dairy cow. The feed ration was enriched by corn in the form of CCM and molasses. On the contrary, the "GPS" feed was discarded.

The mammalian circadian system consists of a major circadian pacemaker located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus and peripheral clocks in the body, including brain structures. The SCN depends on glutamatergic neurotransmission for transmitting signals from the retina, and it exhibits spontaneous 24-h rhythmicity in neural activity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the degree and circadian rhythmicity of AMPA receptor GluA2 subunit R/G editing and alternative flip/flop splicing in the SCN and other brain structures in Wistar rats. Our data show that the circadian rhythmicity in the SCN's GluA2 mRNA level was highest at dawn, while the circadian rhythm in R/G editing peaked at CT10 and the rhythmic flip varied with the acrophase at the late subjective night. The circadian rhythmicity was confirmed for R/G editing and splicing in the CA3 hippocampal area, and rhythmic variation of the flip isoform was also measured in the olfactory bulbs and cerebellum. The correlations between the R/G editing and alternative flip/flop splicing revealed a structure-dependent direction. In the hippocampus, the edited (G)-form level was positively correlated with the flip variant abundance, in accord with published data; by contrast, in the SCN, the flip variant was in associated more with the unedited (R) form. The edited (G) form and flop isoform also predominated in the retina and cerebellum.

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are widely used in patients of all ages. Unlike adults, neonatal animals treated with BZDs exhibit a variety of behavioral deficits later in life, however, the mechanisms underlying these deficits are poorly understood. This study aims to examine whether administration of clonazepam (CZP, 1 mg/kg/day) in 7&ndash, 11-day-old rats affects Gama aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic receptors in both the short and long terms. Using RT-PCR and quantitative autoradiography, we examined the expression of the selected GABAA receptor subunits (&alpha, 1, &alpha, 2, &alpha, 4, &gamma, 2, and &delta, ) and the GABAB B2 subunit, and GABAA, benzodiazepine, and GABAB receptor binding 48 h, 1 week, and 2 months after treatment discontinuation. Within one week after CZP cessation, the expression of the &alpha, 2 subunit was upregulated, whereas that of the &delta, subunit was downregulated in both the hippocampus and cortex. In the hippocampus, the &alpha, 4 subunit was downregulated after the 2-month interval. Changes in receptor binding were highly dependent on the receptor type, the interval after treatment cessation, and the brain structure. GABAA receptor binding was increased in almost all of the brain structures after the 48-h interval. BZD-binding was decreased in many brain structures involved in the neuronal networks associated with emotional behavior, anxiety, and cognitive functions after the 2-month interval. Binding of the GABAB receptors changed depending on the interval and brain structure. Overall, the described changes may affect both synaptic development and functioning and may potentially cause behavioral impairment.

Social defeat stress affects behavior and changes the expression of the genes underlying neuronal plasticity in the brain. The circadian clock regulates most neuronal processes in the brain, which results in daily variations of complex behavior, and any disturbance in circadian clock oscillations increases the risk of mood and cognitive disbalance. In this study, we assessed the effect of acute and repeated social defeat stress on

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are widely used in patients of all ages. Unlike adults, neonatal animals treated with BZDs exhibit a variety of behavioral deficits later in life; however, the mechanisms underlying these deficits are poorly understood. This study aims to examine whether administration of clonazepam (CZP; 1 mg/kg/day) in 7–11-day-old rats affects Gama aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic receptors in both the short and long terms. Using RT-PCR and quantitative autoradiography, we examined the expression of the selected GABAA receptor subunits (α1, α2, α4, γ2, and δ) and the GABAB B2 subunit, and GABAA, benzodiazepine, and GABAB receptor binding 48 h, 1 week, and 2 months after treatment discontinuation. Within one week after CZP cessation, the expression of the α2 subunit was upregulated, whereas that of the δ subunit was downregulated in both the hippocampus and cortex. In the hippocampus, the α4 subunit was downregulated after the 2-month interval. Changes in receptor binding were highly dependent on the receptor type, the interval after treatment cessation, and the brain structure. GABAA receptor binding was increased in almost all of the brain structures after the 48-h interval. BZD-binding was decreased in many brain structures involved in the neuronal networks associated with emotional behavior, anxiety, and cognitive functions after the 2-month interval. Binding of the GABAB receptors changed depending on the interval and brain structure. Overall, the described changes may affect both synaptic development and functioning and may potentially cause behavioral impairment.

The mammalian circadian pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) regulates behavioral and physiological processes in a 24-h cycle. During its development, the SCN can be sensitive to external stimuli which may change the circadian phenotypes in adulthood. Here, we investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the developing rhythms in expression of Per1, Per2, Nr1d1 and Rasd1 along the rostrocaudal axis of the SCN, and on the rhythm of the rate-limiting enzyme in melatonin synthesis, pineal alkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT). The prenatal LPS treatment induced anxiety-like behavior in adulthood as shown before and affected the rhythmicity of clock genes in the SCN. The major effect was observed for Nr1d1 expression; the least affected gene was Per2. The Nr1d1 in the LPS-treated group was arrhythmic at postnatal day 3, but showed significantly higher amplitude at postnatal day 20 at all SCN parts, similarly to the AA-NAT activity in pineal glands, thus suggesting adaptive flexibility of the developing SCN to immune challenges in early development.

This paper strives to contribute to performance motivation research and to point out diff erences in achievement motivation among college students in terms of sports activities. The research sample was comprised of 248 college students (men: n=141, 22.40±1.62 years of age; women: n=107, 21.78±1.49 years of age) from Bratislava. The respondents were divided into 3 groups according to frequency of sports activities: college students who didn’t engage in any sports activities (non-active respondents), college students who engaged in sports activities 1 to 2 times a week (moderately active respondents), and those who engaged in sports activities 3 or more times a week (highly active respondents). A standardized DMV questionnaire consisting of 52 items was used as the research tool. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to assess the normality of data and the Kruskal-Wallis test and MannWhitney tests were used to test the signifi cance of the diff erences between independent choices. The coeffi cient η2 , expressed the eff ect of the independent variable (sport activity) on the dependent variable (achievement motivation). The degree of dependence between the two of the groups of features was expressed by means of the coeffi cient r. The results revealed signifi cant (p≤0.001) diff erences in all three performance motivation dimensions. The performance motivation of the highly active respondentswas signifi cantly (p=0.000) higher compared to that of the moderately active respondents. Also, when compared with the non-active respondents, the level of performance motivation was signifi cantly (p=0.000) higher among the highly active respondents. Performance motivation and performance-supporting anxiety increases with the frequency of sports activities; on the contrary, performance-hindering anxiety decreases with the frequency of sports activities. Hence, our results testify to the fact that sport activity is one of the determinants for increased performance motivation.